Image processing device

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides an image processing device which aims for appropriate settings and simplification of printing functions. In a print server, when a print job is received, an application name used in a client terminal is specified from a drawing command of the print job, and standard settings of printing functions provided for each application are read from database files. Thereafter, the standard settings and settings of printing functions of the print job are compared. When the settings are different, after carrying out a warning processing, setting of printing functions based on the standard settings is carried out, and image processing and printing processing based on the set printing functions are executed. In this way, while simplifying settings of printing functions in the client terminal, image processing and printing processing by appropriate printing functions are possible.

This is a Continuation of application Ser. No. 11/706,361 filed Feb. 15,2007, which is a Continuation of application Ser. No. 10/173,019 filedJun. 18, 2002. The disclosure of the prior applications are herebyincorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an image processing device carryingout, at an image processing terminal, image processing on the basis ofimage data generated by various types of applications, or on the basisof drawing commands.

2. Description of the Related Art

Digitization has spread to the field of printing processing as well, andthe trend toward DTP (Desktop Publishing) has advanced. In this way, apage layout is generated by generating, trimming, editing, and the likeof an image in a processing device such as a personal computer, a workstation, or the like by using applications. Generating of a film iscarried out on the basis of this page layout, or generating of a pressplate is carried out by direct exposure of a printing plate (CTP:Computer to Plate). Many applications for DTP as well have becomepopular.

On the other hand, in the field of DTP, when a proof print (proof) forcarrying out proofreading of the generated page layout is printed out, aprinter such as a color laser printer, a page printer, or the like isused as the print-out device. A processing device generating the pagelayout and the like is connected as an image processing terminal by anetwork or the like. In this way, generating of a proof can be easilycarried out by drawing commands from respective image processingterminals.

In the applications used in the image processing terminals, varioustypes of printing functions can be designated. By setting the printingfunctions on the drawing commands, image processing and print-outcorresponding to the set printing functions are possible.

Such printing functions are set by a printer driver software(hereinafter, referred to as “printer driver”). Therefore, in order touse various types of printing functions, there is need to provide aprinter driver at each image processing terminal.

On the other hand, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open (JP-A) No.11-15610, an application and a printer driver used in a client terminalare provided in a print server or an intermediate server. Theapplication is activated on the server, and the setting of printingfunctions is carried out.

Further, in JP-A Nos. 8-147118 and 2000-353081, database files, in whichsettings for each application are stored, are provided in the imageprocessing terminal. Setting of the printing functions for eachapplication is carried out with reference to the database files.

However, in any case, complicated operation for setting printingfunctions must be carried out on the image processing terminal. Further,there are many cases in which the print job differs in accordance withthe application, and the settings of the necessary printing functionswill of necessity be changed. A problem arises in that, if there aremistakes in setting or settings are forgotten, a desired printout or thelike cannot be obtained.

In particular, in accordance with the application, the color space is inan RGB format, or in a CMYK format. Further, when both are usedtogether, there are cases in which image data, which has been unifiedinto one of these two formats, is desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been achieved in consideration of theabove-described facts, and the object thereof is to provide an imageprocessing device in which setting of printing functions and the likefor each application is easy. Further, another object of the inventionis to provide an image processing device which can precisely judge thepresence/absence or the like of an image formed from, for example, aspecific color space, as a printing function with respect to the colorspace of an image.

In order to achieve one of the above-described objects, the inventionprovides an image processing device for carrying out image processing onthe basis of drawing commands using applications from an imageprocessing terminal, the image processing device comprising: a storingsection for storing settings of printing functions for each applicationused in the image processing terminal; a reading section for readinginformation specifying the application from the drawing command; and asetting for setting printing functions by reading the settings from thestoring section corresponding to the application specified by thereading results of the reading section.

In accordance with the invention, the settings of the printing functionsfor each application used in the image processing terminal are stored asstandard settings in the storing section.

The reading section specifies the name of the application whichgenerated the drawing command or the image data, from the drawingcommand inputted from the image processing terminal. The settingsection, from the specified application name, reads out and sets thestandard settings for each printing function from the storing section.

In this way, regardless of the settings of printing functions in thedrawing command, the printing functions are precisely set, and imageprocessing based on the printing functions that are set can be carriedout. When printing out is carried out, a printed object on which anaccurate image is formed can be obtained.

In the image processing device of the invention, the reading section mayread information specifying the application from descriptions followinga predetermined code in the drawing command set in accordance with theapplication, when a description that specifies the application is addedin the processing terminal, the reading section may read the addeddescription.

Further, in the invention, the reading section may specify anapplication name from a predetermined variable name in the drawingcommand, and the reading section may read an application name from datain a predetermined variable.

Moreover, in the invention, the image processing device may furthercomprise: a comparing section for comparing settings of printingfunctions read from descriptions of the drawing command and standardsettings of the storing section of printing functions based on anapplication name; and a warning section for warning that the printingfunctions are different, on the basis of the results of comparison ofthe comparing section. Further, the image processing device furtherpreferably comprises: updating section able to, on the basis of arequest from the image processing terminal, update the printingfunctions which are stored in the storing section, and the settings ofthe printing functions.

The invention provides an image processing device which carries outimage processing on the basis of drawing commands using applicationsfrom an image processing terminal, the image processing devicecomprising: extracting section for extracting a color space of an imagefrom image data or the drawing command inputted from the imageprocessing terminal; and warning section for issuing a warning when theextracting section extracts an image of a predetermined color space.

This invention may comprise converting section for converting the imageto a predetermined color image, when an image of a predetermined colorspace is extracted by the extracting section. In this way, the extractedcolor space can be clarified in the image data or the printed objectwhich is printed-out from a printer or the like.

The converting section may convert the image to a warning color based ona setting stored in a storing section, or may convert the image to acolor image designated from the image processing terminal.

Further, the extracting section may be an extracting section whichextracts an image in RGB format as the color space.

Moreover, the warning section may display a predetermined warningmessage on the image processing terminal.

Further, the warning section is not limited to one which displays awarning message. An arbitrary warning method can be used on a printedobject which is printed-out by using a printout device such as a printeror the like, provided that the extracted image is clear.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a printing system applied to thepresent embodiment.

FIGS. 2A and 2B are respectively schematic diagrams showing mainportions of output codes in PostScript format.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an overview of printing processing in aprint server applied to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an overview of an “RGB image warning”function.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing one example of display of awarning message on a monitor of a client terminal.

FIGS. 6A and 6B are flowcharts showing another example of processing inRGB image warning.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing one example of display ofprocessing selection which accompanies a warning message on the monitorof the client terminal.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described withreference to the drawings. In FIG. 1, a schematic structure of aprinting system 10 applied to the present embodiment is shown.

The printing system 10 has an image processing device 36 at a printserver 12 which is structured by adding a PCI board having predeterminedfunctions to, for example, a personal computer having a generalstructure (PC) . Further, a printer 14 is connected as a printout deviceto the print server 12.

Further, a personal computer, a work station, and the like are connectedas client terminals 16 to the print server 12. The client terminals 16are used for DTP which carries out image processings, such asgenerating, trimming, editing, and the like of an image, by usingvarious types of applications. The image processing device 12 carriesout printing processing on the basis of drawing commands from theseclient terminals 16.

Note that, the printing system 10 may include a plurality of printers 14connected to the print server 12. Alternatively, the plurality of clientterminals 16 may be connected to the print server 12 via a network suchas a LAN, a WAN, or the like.

Further, in the present embodiment, description is given of a case inwhich the image processing device 36, to which the invention is applied,is provided in the print server 12. However, the invention is notlimited to the same. The image processing device 36 may be provided in,for example, any of various types of servers disposed in the network,provided that the image processing device carries out image processingon the basis of image data and drawing commands inputted from the clientterminals 16. Namely, any arbitrary structure can be used provided thatthe image processing device of the invention carries out imageprocessing on the basis of image data and drawing commands.

The print server 12 in which the image processing device 36 is providedhas a general structure in which an external memory such as a ROM, aRAM, an HD, or the like is provided at the print server 12, and theprint server 12 operates in accordance with an operation program storedin a ROM, and executes processings on system graphics, images,characters, tables, or the like, on the basis of programs stored in theROM or the external memory.

Further, the print server 12 is provided with input devices such as akeyboard, a mouse (neither are illustrated), or the like, and a displaydevice such as a CRT display or the like. Further, in the print server12 as well, printing processing of an image displayed on the displaydevice is possible (WYSIWYG function).

Namely, a two way interface 18 such as the Ethernet and a printcontroller 20 are provided in the print server 12. The print controller20 is connected to the printer 14 via the two way interface 18.

An image processing section 24 is formed in the image processing device36 in the print server 12. The image processing section 24 generatesraster data on the basis of image data and drawing commands inputted asa print job. Due to the raster data being controlled by the printcontroller 20 and being outputted to the printer 14, a printed objectbased on the print job can be obtained.

On the other hand, a network interface 22 is provided in the printserver 12. Drawing commands in accordance with an image file areinputted from the client terminals 16 via the network interface 22. Theprint server 12 has a general structure in which printing processingbased on the drawing commands is carried out.

By using various types of DTP applications such as, for example,PhotoShop, Illustrator (both trade names of products of Adobe SystemsIncorporation) , QuarkXPress (the trade name of a product of Quark,Inc.), or the like, the client terminal 16 carries out image processingssuch as image generating, trimming, editing, and the like. Note that,hereinafter, description will be given of an example in which theseapplications generate a page layout or the like in PostScript format.

The page layout generated by the client 16 is used in generating of afilm used in exposing a printing plate by a color electronic platemaking system (CEPS), or is used in exposing a printing plate in directplate making (CTP). Printing processing is carried out by a press plategenerated on the basis of this page layout.

In a color electronic plate making system or a direct plate makingsystem, before generating of a press plate based on the page layoutgenerated by the client terminal 16, a proof print which is called acolor proof or the like (referred to as a “proof” hereinafter) isgenerated.

When carrying out proof printing, the drawing commands from the clientterminal 16 and the print job containing the page layout are outputtedto the printer server 12. In this way, the print server 12 generates aproof based on the print job.

The page layout inputted from the client terminal 16 to the print server12 may be in YMCK format, or may be in RBG format, or may be such thatboth of these formats are used. In the image processing section 24,raster data of, for example, the respective colors of Y, M, C, K aregenerated from the print job, and are outputted to the printer 14.

An application name extracting section 26 and a printing functionsetting section 28 are provided in the image processing device 36. Theapplication name extracting section 26 receives a print job transmittedfrom the client terminal 16, and reads, from the print job, the name ofthe application which generated the page layout.

The client terminal 16 applied to the present embodiment outputs a printjob by using, for example, a PostScript driver. The application nameextracting section 26 determines the name of the application whichgenerated the page layout, by reading the application name recorded inthe comments of the PostScript.

Namely, as shown in FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B, in the code of PostScript,comments are written after the code %%. From this, the application nameextracting section 26 extracts the code %%, and reads the characterstring after the code %%. For example, in PostScript, as shown in FIG.2A, because the application name is written after “%%Creator:”, theapplication name is read from the character string following“%%Creator:” at the application name extracting section 26.

Further, as shown in FIG. 2B, when an application name is written after“%%BeginProcSet:”, the character string after the code %% is read.

On the other hand, an external memory 30, such as a HD, and a filemanagement section 32 managing database files stored in the externalmemory 30 are provided in the print server 12. In the external memory30, standard settings of printing functions for each application arestored as database files.

In the printing function setting section 28, the standard settings ofprinting functions for the printing functions stored in the externalmemory 30 are read from the application name extracted at theapplication name extracting section 26, and setting of printingfunctions is carried out.

In the image processing section 24, raster data is generated by carryingout image processing on the basis of the settings of the printingfunction setting section 28, and the generated raster data is outputtedto the printer 14.

The file management section 32 can update or add printing functions inthe database files and can modify the settings of the printing functionsin accordance with requests from the client terminal 16. Further, thefile management section 32 can update or add printing functions in thedatabase files on the print server 12, and can modify the settings ofthe printing functions (modify the standard settings).

Example of printing functions provided in the image processing device 36or the print server 12 are various types of warning functions for aprocessed image and image processing functions such as “RGB imagewarning”, “RGB black replaced with K”, “K overprint”, “hair line warning(thin line warning)”, “merging of separate plates”, “RGB colorcorrection”, “CMYK color correction”, and the like, as well as specialprinting functions such as double sided printing and Nup printing andthe like, and also various types of conventionally known processingfunctions based on the performance and the like of the printer 14 andapplications such as the finishing functions of stapling, punching, andthe like.

Note that settings for these printing functions are stored in thedatabase files. However, hereinafter, “RGB image warning” and “RGB blackreplaced with K” will be described as examples of printing functions.

“RGB image warning” notifies or warns whether or not there is, in thepage layout, an image whose color space is RGB format (hereinafter,referred to as an “RGB image”). Namely, warning or notice is given suchthat, when an image in CMYK format and an image in RGB format bothexist, the image in RGB format is extracted and it is clarified that theimage is in RGB format.

Generally, in printing using a press plate, a color image is separatedinto respective color components of C (cyan), M (magenta), Y (yellow),and K (black), and press plates on which images of the respective colorcomponents are formed are generated, and superposed printing is carriedout.

On the other hand, there are applications which generate a layout or thelike in RGB format. However, among applications applied to DTP, thereare applications which can generate a page layout in CMYK format, andpaste an RGB image into the page layout.

If an RGB image is contained in the page layout when a press plate forprinting is generated, the image is not separated into the respectivecolors of CMYK, and is expressed as an image of the respectivecomponents of CMYK. Therefore, if printing is carried out by using apress plate generated from a page layout containing an RGB image, theRGB image appears as a “black” image on a color image.

Accordingly, there are applications in which it is necessary to clarifywhether there is an RGB image or not when proof printing is carried out.Thus, “RGB image warning” judges whether or not an RGB image iscontained in the page layout, and issues a warning when an RGB image iscontained.

A display controlling section 34 is provided in the print server 12.When an RGB image is extracted from the page layout, the displaycontrolling section 34 displays a warning dialog on an unillustratedmonitor of the client terminal 16. In this way, the RGB image warningcan be verified at the client terminal 16 which inputted the print job.

“RGB black replaced with K” replaces an image of black color in an RGBimage with K color in CMYK format. In this way, when printout is carriedout by the printer 14, the black color in RGB format becomes clear.

“K overprint” is a function of outputting a character or a graphic whichis 100% black by overprinting. In this way, image conversion is carriedout such that the character or the graphic which is 100% black appearsclearly on a printed object. By this function, although marked effectscan be obtained with respect to an application generating an image datain RGB format, such as Word or the like generating an image data in RGBformat, effects are not achieved in an application such as QuarkXPressor the like generating an image data in CMYK format.

“Merging of separate plates” is a function which merges image datadivided and outputted as black-and-white images of the respective colorplates of a C plate, an M plate, a Y plate, and a K plate in anapplication, and outputs it as a color image. There is no suchseparating function in applications outputting image data in RGB formatsuch as Word, Excel, and the like. Therefore, applying this “merging ofseparate plates” function adds unnecessary overhead, and is thereforenot preferable.

“Hair line warning” gives warning when there is a thin line of apredetermined thickness or less, by clarifying the image. Namely, theresolution of a printed object using a press plate is 1200 dpi to 2400dpi, and the application can output an image having this resolution.

Because the resolution of the printer 14 or the like is about 600 dpiwhich is low, by converting an image smaller than this to theresolution, blurring or the like does not occur on a printed object.However, if a line image, at which there is the possibility thatblurring or disappearance may occur on a printed object using a pressplate, is outputted in accordance with the resolution of the printer 14,accurate proofreading is impossible. At such times, by using the “hairline warning” function, an appropriate judgement with respect to thinline images is possible.

“Spot color correction” is a function simulating colors of spot colorinks other than C, M, Y, K used during printing. There are cases inwhich this function cannot be used depending on the application. Namely,this function can be used in QuarkXPress and the like which generateimage data in CMYK format, but cannot be used in Word, Excel, or thelike. Therefore, when this function is set, unnecessary overhead isadded.

Further, “RGB color correction” and “CMYK color correction” correct therespective colors, such that the colors at the time of carrying outsuperposed printing of the respective colors of CMYK by using pressplates can be simulated.

The database files stored in the external memory 30 are, along withprinting functions for each application, stored as standard settings ofthe respective printing functions on the printing system 10. In Table 1,examples of printing functions and standard settings are shown.

TABLE 1 Applications QuarkXPress PhotoShop Word Excel Printing RGB imagewarning ON OFF OFF OFF functions RGB black replaced Job setting ON ON ONwith K K overprint OFF OFF ON ON Hair line warning Delete Delete OFF OFFMerging of Job setting Job setting OFF OFF separate plates RGB color OFFJob setting ON ON correction CMYK color ON Job setting OFF OFFcorrection Spot color Job setting Job setting OFF OFF correction

In the image processing device 36, applications are classified intoapplications, which generate image data in RGB format, such as Word,Excel, and the like, and applications, which generate image data in CMYKformat such as QuarkXPress and the like, and applications, which cangenerate image data in both formats (color spaces) such as PhotoShop andthe like. Further, settings, which are standard and desirable inaccordance with the main purpose of use of the respective applications,are the standard settings.

Note that “erasing” in the hairline warning is a setting carrying outconversion processing with respect to a corresponding image so as toerase the extracted thin lines. “Job setting” uses the settings on thedrawing commands outputted from the client terminal 16.

Further, Table 1 shows examples of applications and standard settings ofportions of the printing functions for the applications. However, theprinting functions and the standard settings of the invention are notlimited to the same.

In this way, for example, when a page layout generated by PhotoShop isinputted as a print job and “RGB image warning” of the inputted printjob is turned on and “RGB black replaced with K” is turned off, both of“RGB image warning” and “RGB black replaced with K” are changed to beoff from the database files of the external memory 30.

Further, when a page layout generated by QuarkXPress is inputted as aprint job and “RGB image warning” of the inputted print job is turnedoff and “RGB black replaced with K” is turned on, from the databasefiles of the external memory 30, “RGB image warning” is changed to be onand “RGB black replaced with K” is changed to be off, and the settingsof the print job are applied.

On the other hand, in the image processing section 26, when raster datais generated from the print job inputted from the client terminal 16,processing based on the settings of the printing functions is carriedout. At this time, when “RGB image warning” is set to be on, it isjudged whether or not an RGB image is contained in the page layout, andwhen an RGB image is contained, the RGB image warning dialog isdisplayed on the monitor of the client terminal 16.

Further, in the image processing section 24, if black color is extractedin RGB format when “RGB black replaced with K” is set, the black coloris converted to K color at the time of separation in CMYK format.

Hereinafter, as the operation of the present embodiment, an overview ofthe processings in the print server 12 will be described. In FIG. 3, theflow of processings in the print server 12 for a print job is shown. Theroutine is executed by a print job being inputted from the clientterminal 16. In the first step 100, the print job is read.

When the print job is read, in next step 102, the name of theapplication which generated the page layout inputted as the print job isextracted. For example, if the page layout is in PostScript format, asshown in FIG. 2A or 2B, the extraction of the application name reads acharacter string corresponding to the application name from the commentswritten in the code %%, and judges that this character string is theapplication name.

In next step 104, on the basis of the extracted application name, thestandard settings of the printing functions are read from the databasefiles of the external memory 30. Further, in step 106, setting of theprinting functions on the print job are read from the drawing commandsof the print job. In step 108, the settings of the printing functionsare compared, and it is verified whether there are setting changes ornot (step 110).

In this way, when there is a change between the standard settings storedin the data file and the settings on the drawing commands of the printjob, the judgement in step 110 is affirmative, and the routine proceedsto step 112. In this step 112, changing of the settings of the printingfunctions to the standard settings is notified by display as a warningmessage on the monitor of the client terminal 16.

Thereafter, in step 114, setting of the printing functions is carriedout on the basis of the standard settings of the printing functions foreach application stored in the data file of the external memory 30. Atthis time, the settings of the print job are used for only the printingfunctions designated as “job setting”.

Note that, when changes in the settings of the printing functions areinputted from the client terminal 16 on the basis of the warning messagedisplayed on the monitor of the client terminal 16, the printingfunctions may be set on the basis of inputted settings. Further, astructure is possible in which the inputted settings of the printingfunctions are stored as standard settings in the database files of theexternal memory 30, such that changing/updating of settings of theprinting functions is possible.

When setting of printing functions based on the database files stored inthe external memory 30 is completed, the routine proceeds to step 116,and image processing is carried out. At this time, raster data isgenerated by carrying out processing based on the setting of theprinting functions, and printing processing is carried out by outputtingthe raster data to the printer 14 (step 118).

In this way, due to settings of the printing functions which are astandard on the printing system 10 being stored as database files in theexternal memory 30, detailed setting of a print job at the clientterminal 16 is unnecessary. Therefore, requesting a print job isextremely easy. Further, setting of printing functions corresponding tothe application is carried out by extracting the application name fromthe print job. Therefore, at the client terminal 16, there is no need tocarry out designation of the application or setting of printingfunctions corresponding to the application. Thus, the operation ofrequesting a print job at the client terminal is facilitated even more.

Further, even when there are mistakes in setting the printing functionsor settings are forgotten at the time of requesting of a print job,setting of printing functions corresponding to the application whichgenerated the page layout can be carried out precisely. Therefore, it ispossible to reliably prevent execution of image processing and printingprocessing based on mistakes in generating of the proof or mistakes insetting.

Moreover, a file management section 32 is provided in the print server12. The data processing, for a database file, of addition, updating, andchanging of the settings of the printing functions for each applicationis possible from the client terminal 16 via the file management section32. Therefore, management of the data base files on the print server 12is easy.

Note that, here, an example is given of a print job described inPostScript format, and the application name is extracted from the printjob. However, extraction of the application name in the invention is notlimited to this.

For example, there are applications which include a program which storesa variable based on the application name in a code to be outputted. Insuch an application, by extracting the variable, the application namecan be specified.

In this way, a variable specifying the application name may be extractedfrom the code outputted by the application. Further, when specifying ofan application name from data in a variable is possible, specifying ofthe application name may be carried out by reading the data in thevariable.

Moreover, the method of executing a drawing code differs in accordancewith the application. There are applications in which the outputteddrawing code has the feature that the size of the entire drawing code isdecreased by redefining a frequently-used drawing command to a shortname or the like. With respect to such applications, by grasping thefeature of the outputted drawing code and making it into a database,specifying of the application name from the drawing code is possible.

Further, settings of printing functions provided in the client terminal16 may be customized and description which can specify the applicationname may be added, and the application name may be specified from thedescription. In such a case as well, when a print job is outputted bythe client terminal 16, specifying of the application name in the printserver 12 can be easily carried out, without carrying out key operationsuch as input or designation of the application name.

In this way, an arbitrary structure can be applied to the extracting ofthe application name.

Next, as one printing function, the overview of processing for “RGBimage warning” will be described in accordance with FIG. 4. Note thatthis “RGB image warning” is one example of, with a basic color spacebeing image data of CMYK format, extracting an image of a color spacedifferent than the basic color space, such as an image in RGB format, inthe basic color space.

In first step 120, this flowchart reads the standard setting of “RGBimage warning” based on the application name, from the database file. Innext step 122, it is verified whether the setting of “RGB image warning”is turned on or not, from the read standard setting. By an affirmativejudgement, the setting of “RGB image warning” is turned on (step 124).

Note that when the “RGB image warning” is set to be off, the judgementis negative in step 122, and the processing of “RGB image warning” iscompleted. Further, when the setting is different from the standardsettings on the drawing commands of the print job, as described above,it is preferable to give notice of the setting change by carrying outwarning processing.

When “RGB image warning” is set to be on, in step 126, extracting of anRGB image from the page layout processed in the image processing section24 is carried out. The extracting of an RGB image can be applied to aconventionally known arbitrary method such as a method which, forexample, judges from a description in PostScript or the like.

In next step 128, it is verified whether there is an RGB image or not.In this way, when an RGB image is extracted from the page layout, thejudgement is affirmative in step 128, and the routine proceeds to step130. In step 130, a warning message is transmitted to the clientterminal 16 which requested the print job containing the page layoutfrom which the RGB image is extracted.

In this way, a dialog warning that there is an RGB image in the pagelayout is displayed on the client terminal 16. As this dialog, forexample, the dialog shown in FIG. 5 can be displayed. The dialog can bemade to disappear by, for example, clicking a “verification” button orthe like. Note that the dialog displayed on the monitor of the clientterminal 16 is not limited to this. Provided that the dialog cancommunicate an accurate message, an arbitrary structure can be applied.

On the other hand, the RGB image warning may have a structure in whichimage processing is carried out so as to clarify the extracted image.Here, with reference to FIGS. 6A and 6B, one example of a conversionprocessing of a warning image in “RGB image warning” will be described.Note that, although the conversion processing in “RGB image warning” maybe stored as a standard setting in the database files of the externalmemory 30, hereinafter, description will be given of a case in whichconversion processing in “RGB image warning” is carried out on the basisof a designation inputted from the client terminal 16.

This flowchart is executed in accordance with processing of the printjob. In first step 160, the standard settings of “RGB image warning” areread from the database files, and in step 162, it is verified whetherthe printing functions are set or not. At this time, when “RGB imagewarning” is set, the judgement is affirmative in step 162, and theroutine proceeds to step 164, where the setting of “RGB image warning”is turned on.

Thereafter, in step 166, extraction processing of an RGB image iscarried out, and in step 168, it is verified whether the RGB image hasbeen extracted or not.

Here, when there is an RGB image in a print job in CMYK format, thejudgement is affirmative in step 168, and the routine proceeds to step170. In this step 170, a dialog for warning of an RGB image is displayedon the monitor of the client terminal 16. The dialog, for example, asshown in FIG. 7, gives notice that there is an RGB image, and requests adesignation of processing for the extracted RGB image.

The processing for the RGB image at this time requests designation ofwhether or not a printing processing, which is the processing for theprint job, is to be interrupted, and of whether the print job is to bestored or not when the printing processing is interrupted.

Further, when the printing processing is continued, selection of theprocessing for the RGB image is requested. In the processing for the RGBimage at this time, for example, non-conversion, warning colorreplacement, or the like can be designated. Further, when warning colorreplacement is designated, it can be selected whether a warning colorset in advance (e.g. magenta) is to be applied as the color, or colordesignation is to be carried out. In addition to these, a previewdisplay may be carried out.

Here, when a designation of processing is inputted in accordance withthe display of the dialog, in the flowcharts of FIGS. 6A and 6B, thedesignation of processing is read in step 172.

Thereafter, in step 174, it is verified whether preview display isselected or not. When a preview display is selected, the judgement isaffirmative in step 174, and the routine proceeds to step 176, where animage for displaying, on the monitor of the client terminal 16, a printpreview of a page layout in which there is the RGB image, is generated.Further, in step 178, the generated print preview is displayed on themonitor of the client terminal 16. Note that, when the print preview isdisplayed, the routine proceeds to step 170 in order to request adesignation of processing.

This print preview is displayed such that at least the RGB image on thepage layout is clarified. At this time, when a warning color conversionor a designated color conversion or the like is designated for the RGBimage, the converted image may be displayed.

By displaying the print preview, the RGB image in the print layout canbe clearly recognized, and by converting the RGB image and displayingit, a proof in which the RGB image can be accurately recognized can begenerated.

When there is no request for display of a print preview, or displayingof the print preview is completed, the judgement is negative in step174, and the routine proceeds to step 180. In this step 180, it isverified whether or not printing processing for the corresponding printjob is to be interrupted.

Here, when there is a designation to interrupt printing processing whichis the processing for the print job, the routine proceeds to step 182,and it is verified whether the print job is stored or not. In this way,when storing of the print job is designated, the judgement isaffirmative in step 182. The routine proceeds to step 184, and theinputted print job is stored an unillustrated external memory in theprint server 12, and the processing for this print job is completed.

In this way, by storing the print job, the page layout of the print jobis partially modified. When the print job is requested again, the printjob stored in the external memory can be used for data of unmodifiedportions and various types of settings. Therefore, for example, whenonly one portion of many of page layouts is modified or the like, it ispossible to aim for shortening of the transmitting time of data and thelike.

On the other hand, when storing of the print job is not designated, thejudgement is negative in step 182. The routine proceeds to step 186,where the received print job is deleted, and the processing for thisprint job is completed.

On the other hand, when the print job is to be continued, the judgementis negative in step 180, and the routine proceeds to step 188. In step188, it is verified whether a predetermined warning color has beendesignated or color designation has been carried out.

Here, when a warning color set in the print server 12 is designated, thejudgement is negative in step 188, and the routine proceeds to step 190.In step 190, the RGB image is converted to a warning color (magenta).

Further, when a color for converting the RGB image is designated, thejudgement is affirmative in step 188. The routine proceeds to step 192,and image conversion is carried out such that the extracted RGB image isprinted out in the designated color.

In this way, on a printed object outputted from the printer 14, the RGBimage is clarified. Accordingly, when a proof is generated, a proof bywhich appropriate proofreading is possible can be printed out.

Note that, in the present embodiment, description was given of a case inwhich the RGB image is converted to a warning color image. However, theinvention is not limited to the same. For example, a warning messageclarifying that the image is an RGB image may be printed out on aprinted object outputted from the printer 14. Further, the RGB image maybe clarified by surrounding the periphery of the RGB image with acontour having a predetermined width and a predetermined color. Or,setting may be carried out such that a warning page clarifying the RGBimage is printed out on another printed object.

Note that the above-described present embodiment does not limit theinvention. For example, in the present embodiment, an example ofgenerating a proof was described. However, the present invention can beapplied, not only to this, but also to various types of printings usingprinting functions provided in various types of applications.

In accordance with the above-described invention, the application nameis specified from a drawing command which the image processing terminaloutputs by using the application. Printing functions are set, on thebasis of the application name, by using standard settings stored in thestoring section. In this way, because setting of various types ofprinting functions is not bothersome, the excellent effect that drawingprocessing, such as a proof printing or the like, is extremely easy canbe obtained.

Further, in the invention, as a printing function, by extracting andgiving warning of the presence/absence of different color spaces such asan image in CMYK and an image in RGB and the like, the presence/absenceof a combination of images which cannot be clarified in display on amonitor or in output from a printout device can be exactly judged.

1. An image processing device, comprising: a judging section thatjudges, prior to generating a press plate for a page layout, whether ornot the page layout includes image data to be warned; an imageprocessing section that executes image processing on the page layoutwhen the judging section judges that the page layout includes the imagedata, the image processing including processing to clarify for a userwhether the page layout includes the image data or not; and an outputsection that outputs the executed page layout to a display for a previewin a case that the image processing section executes the imageprocessing to the page layout.
 2. The image processing device accordingto claim 1, wherein the image processing section executes the imageprocessing so that a user can recognize, in a state where the executedpage layout is displayed on the display as the preview, whether the pagelayout includes the image data or not.
 3. The image processing deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein the image data to be warned is at leastone of image data in RGB color space, a hairline, and image data set tooverprint.
 4. The image processing device according to claim 1, whereinthe output section provides a user interface that allows a user to set acolor for warning, and the image processing section executes the imageprocessing based on the color specified by the user setting.
 5. An imageprocessing method, comprising: judging, prior to generating a pressplate for a page layout, whether or not the page layout includes imagedata to be warned; executing image processing on the page layout whenjudging that the page layout includes the image data, the imageprocessing including processing to clarify for a user whether the pagelayout includes the image data or not; and outputting the executed pagelayout to a display for a preview in a case that the image processing tothe page layout is executed.
 6. A computer readable storage mediumstoring a program causing a computer to execute a process for imageprocessing, the process comprising: judging, prior to generating a pressplate for a page layout, whether or not the page layout includes imagedata to be warned; executing image processing on the page layout whenjudging that the page layout includes the image data, the imageprocessing including processing to clarify for a user whether the pagelayout includes the image data or not; and outputting the executed pagelayout to a display for a preview in a case that the image processing tothe page layout is executed.